The New Publicist

I woke up the next morning to smell someone making waffles downstairs. “Hann why are you up so early?” I asked walking down the stairs. Niall turned around and gave a chuckle. “Oh sorry Niall, I thought you were Hann” I stammered out while still in shock. Niall was wearing the apron my mother gave to me when I was 13 and it was just a tad bit snug on him. I tried to hide the laugh but it was too late.

“What? Do I have something on my face?” Niall asked as he stepped towards me. I shook my head no as I busted out laughing.

“The apron . . . your body just swallows it up” I said trying to regain self control. Niall came up towards me with the bowl of batter in hands. “Niall just stop. Stop right there. Don’t Nia” but before I could finish m sentence he dumped the batter all over my head. “You are so dead” I spoke as I flung batter at his face. We began to throw the batter at each other until I heard footsteps.

“Ali is everything okay?” I heard Hanna ask.

“Everything is just fine. I just spilt some food and now I’m cleaning it up” I yelled back at her while motioning to Niall to clean up the mess.

“Okay. I’m just gonna go back to bed. I have a terrible headache” Hanna said as she walked back to her room. I waited until her door was closed then started to laugh again. After we finished cleaning up the mess I sat on the couch and sighed.

“I better get going. We have a shoot and some recording to do today” Niall said as he picked up his wallet and hat. He started walking out when I stopped him.

“Don’t you think the others will be wondering why you are coming to the hotel covered in batter?” I asked.

“I guess you’re right Ali. Could I take a shower?”

“Ya sure, and you can borrow some of my brother’s clothes he left here” I said as I walked upstairs. I dug through my closet and stopped suddenly because I felt as if I was being watched. I quickly turned around and stumbled backwards. “Gosh Hanna don’t do that.” I said as I clung to the pile of clothes I was holding.

“Who’s in the shower?” she asked groggily.

“Niall is. He got batter on him and is cleaning up” I said trying to regain myself. I walked past Hanna and stopped outside the bathroom door. As I placed the clothes on the ground I heard Niall singing again. I did a quick smile to myself and went back to my room. After placing the final piece of hair in place I walked out and headed downstairs. Today was the day I would give Nancy and the rest of the boys my answer. “Hanna I’m going with Niall to give the rest of them my answer. I’ll be back in a couple of hours” I yelled at her.

“Whatever” she responded.

“You ready to go?” Niall asked from the couch.

“Yep” I spoke as I picked up a bottle of water. Grabbing my keys we walked out and headed to the car.

“Ali let me drive. You’ve been amazing to me already and it’s the least I can do” Niall said as he snatched the keys from my hands. I didn’t object the offer and hopped into the passenger seat. I watched him out of the corner as he drove and smiled. “Why are you smiling?” Niall questioned.

“It’s just . . . um . . . a beautiful day for a drive” I stuttered out before he could question me any further. For the rest of the ride it was silent, so silent that you could hear a pen drop from 20 feet away. He pulled up to the Hamptdale Hotel, put some sunglasses on, and got out. I was about to open up my door when he motioned me to roll down the window. “What is it?” I asked as it came down.

“Put these on” he prompted handing me a hat and a pair of glasses.

“What are these even for? Afraid you’re going to get mobbed by some 13 year-olds?” I snickered out as I placed the articles on my head.

“You don’t know the half of it love” Niall said as turned back around. I rolled up the window and hopped out of the car. All of a sudden I was blinded by the flashing of cameras all around me.
“I’ve got you. Just keep your head down.” he whispered into my ear. I nodded in response and covered the sides of my face so the flashing would be somewhat less blinding. All around I heard people shouting, asking questions, and other comments.

“Niall, who’s this?”

“Niall, is this a new girlfriend?”

“Almost there” he said. I looked down and saw the doors opening. Once we were inside I looked behind me and saw the crowd of people at the door.

“You weren’t kidding” I joked out as we got into the elevator. “How long has it been like that?”

“Since 2010; ever since we were formed on the X-Factor. It started out as a little group here and there and now it’s turned into this. I can barely get out of the store without being mobbed” he said looking at me. I smiled at him and he smiled back. We got up a couple of floors before he asked me the question I was dreading. “So . . . what are you going to say to them?”

I took a deep breath before answering, “I’m just gonna walk in and say ‘Hello Nancy, I just wanted to let you know that I am going to take the job.’ and see what she says”. I spouted out confidently. I looked back up to him to see if he would say anything or critique me or at least say SOMETHING. But he just smiled the smile that says ‘you’re going to definitely get this job’. The doors opened and Niall walked out first, then two of the guards who met up with us, and I was left all alone with the last guard. Okay Ali, you got this. Just go in there and knock em-

“Ma’am” the guard said as he motioned for me to go.

“Oh sorry, just nervous” I muttered out. I ambled out of the elevator and saw all the boys gathered around and staring at me. 10 pairs of eyes staring at you doesn’t make any less nervous. I looked back and saw Niall giving me a thumbs up. I returned the gesture and walked into Nancy Whitemore’s office and closed the door.

Notes